Applicator for applying a composition to keratinous materials and including a source of vibration

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to human keratinous materials or for adding finishing touches to makeup, the applicator comprising: a vibration source including a vibration generator that vibrates at a frequency lying in the range 1 Hz to 500 Hz, a handle, a stem carried by the handle and an applicator or finishing member for coming into contact with keratinous materials.

1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to human keratinous materials or for adding finishing touches to makeup, the applicator comprising:
 a vibration source including a vibration generator that vibrates at a frequency lying in the range 1 Hz to 500 Hz; 
 a handle, 
 a stem carried by the handle; and 
 an applicator or finishing member carried by the stem for coming into contact with keratinous materials; 
 
       the stem further comprising a flexible first portion via which vibration travels along a shortest path between the vibration generator and the applicator or finishing member, the first portion being in contact with at least one second portion for vibration inlet or outlet; 
       the first portion being at a shorter distance from the applicator or finishing member than from the vibration generator; the first portion being interposed between second and third portions made out of materials that are harder than the first portion. 
     
     
       2. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the vibration source being above the stem. 
     
     
       3. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the second portion being fitted on the first portion. 
     
     
       4. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the second portion being molded in contact with the first portion. 
     
     
       5. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the handle constituting a closure cap for the receptacle containing the composition to apply. 
     
     
       6. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the material from which the first portion is made being selected from: polyolefins; PVCs; EVA; Pebax®; nitrile rubbers; butyl rubbers; silicone rubbers; latexes, thermoplastic alloys; polyamides; and acetal. 
     
     
       7. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the first portion including a housing for receiving a fastener endpiece for fastening the applicator or finishing member on the first portion. 
     
     
       8. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the first portion including at least one annular groove. 
     
     
       9. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the first portion including at least one recess opening out onto its lateral surface. 
     
     
       10. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the first portion including at least one through opening. 
     
     
       11. An applicator according to  claim 10 , the through opening being of axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. 
     
     
       12. An applicator according to  claim 10 , the through opening comprising at least one slot. 
     
     
       13. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the applicator or finishing member extending along a longitudinal axis that does not coincide with the longitudinal axis of a proximal portion of a support to which the applicator or finishing member is connected. 
     
     
       14. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the first portion extending along a longitudinal axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of a proximal portion of a support to which the applicator or finishing member is connected. 
     
     
       15. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the first portion extending along a longitudinal axis that does not coincide with the longitudinal axis of an adjacent portion of the support. 
     
     
       16. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the first portion presenting a shape that is not axially symmetrical. 
     
     
       17. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the first portion being undulated or helicoïdal. 
     
     
       18. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the applicator or finishing member being a brush or a comb for applying a composition to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, or for adding finishing touches to makeup on the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows. 
     
     
       19. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the vibration source comprising a ring for mounting on a finger of a user. 
     
     
       20. An applicator according to  claim 1 , the vibration source being housed at least partially in the handle. 
     
     
       21. A method of applying a cosmetic composition to human keratinous materials or for adding finishing touches to makeup, the method comprising:
 bringing a surface of an applicator or finishing member as defined in  claim 1  that is being subjected to vibration coming from a vibration source into contact with keratinous materials.